Considering the Saturday men’s basketball battle was eventually decided in overtime — 82-79 in favor of Tabor, in its crib (Hillsboro, Kan.) — needless to say the charity toss disparity played more than a tiny role.

And, one shouldn’t forget two of OKWU’s best players, Josh Wilchombe and Isaak Rowe both fouled out — Wilchombe after just 19 minutes of playing time — and two others, Jason Leitzke and Jervis Hamilton, had to play with four fouls apiece.

All things considered, the setback might have been just a bump — albeit, painful — in the road for the OKWU Eagles (20-8, 13-7), who are still in serious contention to earn homecourt advantage in the early rounds of the conference tournament.

But, a victory Saturday would have move the Eagles to uncontested possession of second place — instead of being enmeshed in a four-way tie for second — in the men’s standings of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference.

The redeeming news is the Eagles still heavily control their fate — both as to finishing in the top four of the final conference standings and earning an at-large berth in next month’s NAIA-II national tournament.

If OKWU were to win their final two regular season games — on Wednesday at Bethel (7-20, 5-15) and on Saturday at home against Kansas Wesleyan (15-11, 13-7) — they would lockdown at least a share of second place and remain in the NAIA-II Top 25 poll (they were No. 20 in the most recent poll).

“I think we’re playing pretty well,” said Donnie Bostwick, who is in his second stint as the Eagles’ head coach. “Going into this next stretch we’ll take it one game at a time. … We’re getting to that point in the season where we need to be clicking on all cylinders. I believe everybody is accepting their role and starting to shine in their role.”

Saturday’s loss might not be that costly to OKWU’s ultimate goals — but that possibility that ease the disappointment for Bostwick.

In the first half, the Tabor Bluejays hit 10-of-17 free throws — compared to just 2-of-2 for OKWU — and the Eagles still led, 38-30.

But, in the second half and overtime, Tabor went to the charity stripe 23 times and made 18 — compared to 7-of-11 for OKWU.

The cumulative total landed at 28-of-40 free throws for the Bluejays and 9-of-13 for OKWU.

“I felt like we had a lot of adversity we had to overcome,” said Bostwick, referring mostly to the free throw difference and the foul trouble. “It was one of those tough road games. … I felt like we battled to give ourselves a chance. … But, we’re in a good place now.”

Bostwick said he believes the Eagles have the opportunity this week to lock down the No. 2 seed going into the KCAC postseason tournament. That would mean they would get to host the first two rounds.

He praised the progress and maturity of his young team.

In most its losses, the Eagles squandered leads in the final five minutes, he noted.

But, since the addition of Wilchombe and Leitzke, “we really stabilized our inside when it comes to rim protection late in the game,” Bostwick said. “On Saturday night, we were looking pretty good until Josh gets in foul trouble and fouls out. We gave ourselves a chance, we just couldn’t pull it out.”

Despite his limited minutes, Wilchombe still racked up a double-double (10 points, 10 boards). Rowe — who played more than 35 minutes prior to his fifth foul — also came up with double-double (10 points, 12 rebounds).

Bostwick said he believes his Eagles should have an excellent shot at the national tourney if they post a 3-1 record in their next four games — the final two in regular season, and the first two in the KCAC tourney.

“Hopefully, we’ll be hosting three of those four games,” he added.

During his initial time at OKWU (2007-11), Bostwick guided the Eagles to the national tourney four-straight years and one national crown (2009).

Last summer, he returned as head coach.

His cumulative record as the Eagle head coach is 140-28 (,833).

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